The Ugly Duckling by Jerry Pinkney

Image Credit: Amazon.com

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pinkney, Jerry. 1999. The Ugly Duckling. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York, NY: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 068815932X

2. PLOT SUMMARY
One summer a mother duckling sat upon her six eggs. She studied them curiously because one of the eggs was much larger in size and different in shape. Nevertheless, she faithfully keeps all the eggs warm, and even after the five small eggs hatch, she continues to sit upon the large egg until it hatched. This new duck was “monstrous” in size and ugly in comparison to its five siblings. Life proves to be difficult for the large “duck”. He is ridiculed and tormented by his siblings, other ducks, and hens. He eventually runs away and temporarily finds a home with an old woman. Later, he finds a home with a man and his family, but he feels a need to leave those places to return to the water. Time passes. Seasons go by, and soon it is spring again. The ugly “duck” decides to join a flock of beautiful white birds at a stream. At one point, the ugly “duck” looks in the water and sees a reflection of himself and discovers that he is no longer a hideous duck. He is a beautiful white swan.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Beautifully written and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, this story is true to the traditional tale told by Hans Christian Andersen. The written work is full of nice descriptive sentences. “Before the sun rose, the five little eggs were empty, and five pairs of eyes were gazing out upon the green world.” The text is easy to read and flows beautifully. Pinkney’s illustrations are large, detailed, and colorful. Each painted illustration covers a two page spread, leaving just enough room for the text. Details are abundant. Ripples in the water, reflection of trees and birds on the water’s surface, and patterns on the various animals are clearly defined. Even the fine bits of snow can be seen on the man’s beard and eyebrows. Color abounds in various hues of each illustration. It is no wonder that Jerry Pinkney has received the Caldecott Award and Caldecott Honor Award multiple times.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus: A spirited, artistic adaptation, and a welcome addition to the shelves.
Publishers Weekly: “Pinkney's keenly observed watercolors honor nature in all its splendor. A flawlessly nuanced performance by a consummate craftsman.”
School Library Journey: “The appeal of this tale is as strong today as it was 150 years ago, and Pinkney has done an admirable job of repackaging it for a new generation.”
Amazon.com Review: “Three-time Caldecott Honor artist and four-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, Jerry Pinkney doesn't disappoint with this lovely, old-fashioned, richly textured watercolor adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling.”
Caldecott Honor Book


5. CONNECTIONS
• This book could be used in a study of Randolph Caldecott Award winners in an art class.
• It could be read along with THE UGLY DUCKLING written by Hans Christian to study the differences. ISBN 0735821461
• This could be one story combined with others in a study of fairy tales.